Are Poverty and Social Goals for the 21st Century Attainable?

Summaries The article assesses the prospects for countries attaining two important International Development Goals (IDGs) by the year 2015: halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty; and reducing by two thirds the death rate for children. On the basis of recent growth experience and predicted GDP growth rates, the picture is mixed. About a half of the developing countries for which data are available are likely to reach the poverty reduction target. However, with improved economic policy (reflected in the ‘openness’ index), the number of countries shown likely to achieve the target increases sharply. Prospects for achieving the child mortality target are much bleaker. Even under the most favorable scenario – improved female education and high economic growth – child mortality rates would be substantially above the IDG target for 2015. The article reviews the types of public action that are needed now if these targets are to be attained. It emphasises the need to focus on policy and institutional reforms needed to achieve well?functioning social sectors

Quantum entanglement and phase transition in a two-dimensional photon-photon pair model

We propose a two-dimensional model consisting of photons and photon pairs. In the model, the mixed gas of photons and photon pairs is formally equivalent to a two-dimensional system of massive bosons with non-vanishing chemical potential, which implies the existence of two possible condensate phases. Using the variational method, we discuss the quantum phase transition of the mixed gas and obtain the critical coupling line analytically. Moreover, we also find that the phase transition of the photon gas can be interpreted as second harmonic generation. We then discuss the entanglement between photons and photon pairs. Additionally, we also illustrate how the entanglement between photons and photon pairs can be associated with the phase transition of the system.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

An Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ketenimines <i>via</i> Palladium-Catalyzed Rearrangements of <i>N-</i>Allyl-Ynamides

A cascade of Pd-catalyzed N-to<i>-</i>C allyl transfer–intramolecular ketenimine–[2 + 2] cycloadditions of <i>N</i>-allyl ynamides is described. This tandem sequence is highly stereoselective and the [2 + 2] cycloaddition could be rendered in a crossed or fused manner depending on alkene substitutions, leading to bridged and fused bicycloimines

An Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ketenimines <i>via</i> Palladium-Catalyzed Rearrangements of <i>N-</i>Allyl-Ynamides

A cascade of Pd-catalyzed N-to<i>-</i>C allyl transfer–intramolecular ketenimine–[2 + 2] cycloadditions of <i>N</i>-allyl ynamides is described. This tandem sequence is highly stereoselective and the [2 + 2] cycloaddition could be rendered in a crossed or fused manner depending on alkene substitutions, leading to bridged and fused bicycloimines

An Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ketenimines <i>via</i> Palladium-Catalyzed Rearrangements of <i>N-</i>Allyl-Ynamides

A cascade of Pd-catalyzed N-to<i>-</i>C allyl transfer–intramolecular ketenimine–[2 + 2] cycloadditions of <i>N</i>-allyl ynamides is described. This tandem sequence is highly stereoselective and the [2 + 2] cycloaddition could be rendered in a crossed or fused manner depending on alkene substitutions, leading to bridged and fused bicycloimines

An Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ketenimines <i>via</i> Palladium-Catalyzed Rearrangements of <i>N-</i>Allyl-Ynamides

A cascade of Pd-catalyzed N-to<i>-</i>C allyl transfer–intramolecular ketenimine–[2 + 2] cycloadditions of <i>N</i>-allyl ynamides is described. This tandem sequence is highly stereoselective and the [2 + 2] cycloaddition could be rendered in a crossed or fused manner depending on alkene substitutions, leading to bridged and fused bicycloimines

An Intramolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ketenimines <i>via</i> Palladium-Catalyzed Rearrangements of <i>N-</i>Allyl-Ynamides

A cascade of Pd-catalyzed N-to<i>-</i>C allyl transfer–intramolecular ketenimine–[2 + 2] cycloadditions of <i>N</i>-allyl ynamides is described. This tandem sequence is highly stereoselective and the [2 + 2] cycloaddition could be rendered in a crossed or fused manner depending on alkene substitutions, leading to bridged and fused bicycloimines

Dietary fiber intervention on gut microbiota composition in healthy adults:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Dysfunction of the gut microbiota is frequently reported as a manifestation of chronic diseases, and therefore presents as a modifiable risk factor in their development. Diet is a major regulator of the gut microbiota and certain types of dietary fiber may modify bacterial numbers and metabolism, including short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generation.A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to assess the effect of dietary fiber interventions on gut microbiota composition in healthy adults.A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials using culture and/or molecular microbiological techniques evaluating the effect of fiber intervention on gut microbiota composition in healthy adults. Meta-analyses via a random-effects model were performed on alpha diversity, prespecified bacterial abundances including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp., and fecal SCFA concentrations comparing dietary fiber interventions with placebo/low-fiber comparators.A total of 64 studies involving 2099 participants were included. Dietary fiber intervention resulted in higher abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.64 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.86); P\ua